588 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxiv. 



LEPIDOGORGIA SPIRALIS, new species. 

 Plate XLV, fig. 5. 



Colony imbranched, attaining a height of 4 feet 6 inches (135 cm.). 

 Stem bending on its ascent in the form of a helix, exceedingly slender 

 and growing more so distally, until it is not much larger than a 

 coarse, hair. Root absent. 



Polyps uniserial, small, short, inclined toward distal end of stem, 

 placed at intervals of about 3^ mm.; basal portion of polyp con- 

 sisting of a long swelling embracing the stem, from the distal and 

 lateral angle of which the polyp proper arises. Length of polyp, 

 from tentacle bases to branch, 1^ mm. ; diameter about 1 mm. 



There appear to be no spicules whatever in this species. 



Color. — Straw yellow, in alcohol, axis with indistinct violet and 

 purple reflections. 



The spiral coiling of the stem may possibly be due to the manner in 

 which it was packed in a can for transportation ; but the " set " ap- 

 pears to be natural. 



The entire absence of spicules appears to be a feature not before 

 met with in this family. The presence or absence of spicules does not 

 seem to be a good character for even generic definition in this order. 



Type.— Csit. No. 25355, U.S.N.M., Albatross Station 4103, between 

 Maui and Molokai, 132-141 fathoms. 



Subfamily CIIRYSO&ORG-IIISr.aE. 



Colony branched; the branches simple or branched, branches often 

 spirally arranged; cortex thin; tenacles capable of but partial re- 

 traction; spicules sparsely distributed. 



Genus CHRYSOGORGIA Verrill. 



Branches geniculate, giving off branchlets, all of which are from 

 the same side of the branch. Stem sympodial, the branches being 

 given off in a spiral. Tentacles never truly retractile. 



" Group A," Versluys. 



Polyps with spicules in body and tentacles that are shorter or 

 longer bar- or needle-shaped, with rounded or pointed ends, and with 

 surfaces covered with nodules ; " schuppen " or scales are also present. 

 Exceptionally the body spicules are slender, but usually longer than 

 broad, sometimes with very few nodules, and all lying lengthwise 

 in the distal part of the body. 



CHRYSOGORGIA ARBORESCENS, new species. 

 Plate XLV, figs. 4 and 8 ; plate XLIX, fig. 6. 



Height of incomplete colony 162 mm. The main stem divides into 

 two equal main branches about 25 mm. from the bottom; branch 



